Monday, March 30, 2015

Surprise surprise

I love a surprise!
I won’t easily forget the day my wife Kris informed me that I was going to the Holy Land.  It was nearing my 50th birthday, and on one of our long drives from CA to WI, she played a game with me that went like this: If you could go anywhere in the world where would you like to go?  Little did I know of the set-up that was taking place.  She is so clever and I am so innocent. J  After that drive, she signed me up for a short term mission’s trip that went to Israel and ministered to the Palestinian Church.  Along with our service we did some touring.  I was very pleasantly surprised. 
God likes us to be surprised.  He likes us, His children, to be happy.  Many a happy moment in our lives comes in the moment of surprise.  John Piper, in his book Desiring God, goes to great lengths to show that God is interested in our well-being, and part of our well-being is happiness. 
I am delighted this year to be surprised by God and His faithfulness.  After our tough summer last year, I really wondered if the work of Canadian Adventure was over.   I struggled through the hard process of letting something go that had become a part of me.  And now, it seems that God has surprised us all.  He has provided groups for the summer.  It looks as though we will have as many guests as last summer, with a 4 week shorter season.  He has provided an electrical source and friends to help us serve our guests.  He has provided everything we need to provide extraordinary experiences this summer for those who seek it.
Our prayer is that our guests will be surprised by God as they take time to meet with Him at CA this summer.  In Psalm 19, David writes that as people seek God, as they read His word, and as they apply it to their lives they will find happiness.  David says their hearts will rejoice!  It has been my experience that as people look out over the magnificent vistas on Mt. Sinai, or sit and take in the mighty roar and crashing waterfalls of the Golden Staircase, their hearts rejoice in the One who made it all!  They more fully appreciate how grand God is!
Perhaps you need some surprises in your life?  Or, perhaps you know someone who is struggling with finding happiness.  Make a trip to Canadian Adventure and be surprised!  Feel the wonder of wilderness and be reminded that God is in control of it all!
Continuing on the theme of surprise, would you consider surprising me by sharing this blog with two other people?  I also need YOUR help in spreading not only this blog but also the word about CA.  YOU can have an amazing impact on someone’s life, by sharing the CA story.  Below I included a note from a guest from last summer.  This is a testimony how God works in people’s lives as they spend time away at the place we call Canadian Adventure!

“I’m certain that my heart behind this testimonial, isn’t intended to trigger yet another emotional response, or some lame attempt to change your overall attitude.
CA for me, has always been a place to regroup with God, and yet, why would that be for a Pastor, who should have everything spiritually all figured out—right?
During my 2014 visit to camp CA, I was able to reconnect with that little boy inside of me again, among some really great men—and we didn’t care who was watching!
CA forced me to laugh like I don’t remember laughing for a very long time. The CA experience allows you to store away your cell phone, and to put an end to foolish pride.
Maybe if we searched for that silly child like faith inside, God could become very real again? I just know this—He became real again for me, in a very secure, hope filled environment.
The adventure of the CA is a change in perspective that I desperately need—and it’s the one place on earth, where I have been able to relocate the hope of Christ…”
This note is from a pastor friend from central Wisconsin
God is working with the ministry we call CA.  Come and join Him!!!

Steve Tice
CA Director
715.216.2819

Steve.tice@canadianadventurecamp.org